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Yam Export: Those criticizing it are being cowardice – Audu Ogbe

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has
described those criticizing the Federal Government yam export policy as
being cowardice. He further advised them to rather grow the commodity.

Ogbeh said this when he addressed journalists in Abuja on Monday,
where he said that the effort was in the best interest of the nation’s
economy.
The minister allayed the fears of some Nigerians who believed that
the policy would lead to shortage of the commodity in the country.
He said, “I have seen attacks on the social media.
“With all due respect, Nigeria accounts for 61 per cent of the world output of yam. We have 60 varieties of yam in this country.

“In fact, 30 per cent of the yams we produce get rotten because we
don’t have facilities to preserve them. “Ghana is a famous country for
exportation of the commodity, but most of the yam they export is from
us.
“There has never been shortage of yam in the country. Prices might be
high toward the end of the season, but new yam is already in the
market.
“Why are you so cowardice, Why lay back by not trying anything because of some sentimental reasons that might be raised.’

“Analysts are saying that we are supposed to add more value to yam production in order to earn more money, fantastic view.
“But they forget to tell us how much a tuber of yam costs in the USA.
Three kilogrammes cost 15 dollars, which is equivalent to about N5,
000.
“In London, a carton of yam, this contains three tubers, costs 30 pounds, bringing the average cost per tuber to 10 pounds.
“At that price, it is more sensible to export to earn more money for
our economy. “Economy is 90 per cent common sense. You can’t keep on
buying until you are broke. What are you selling?”
To further buttress his point, the minister said foreign trade partners came to complain when Nigeria limited its food imports.
“They complained that we were not buying stock fish from them. I
asked them if they were buying anything from us. Let us do some selling
as well too.
“Nigerians should stop the sarcasm and negativity in trying to
rubbish every government policy. If Ghana can export yam, Nigeria too
can.”

Yam Export: Those criticizing it are being cowardice – Audu Ogbe
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